Groups call on gov't to allow Veloso family to welcome Mary Jane

enablePagination: false
maxItemsPerPage: 10
totalITemsFound:
maxPaginationLinks: 10
maxPossiblePages:
startIndex:
endIndex:

Filipina death row inmate Mary Jane Veloso has been transferred to Jakarta for a prison transfer process to the Philippines. (Yogyakarta Class IIB Correctional Facility/Coordinating Ministry for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Correction)

Metro Manila, Philippines - Groups called on the government to allow the family of high-profile inmate Mary Jane Veloso to welcome her back from Indonesia on Wednesday, Dec. 18.

In separate statements on Tuesday, Dec. 17, Migrante International and Bayan Muna said Veloso’s family should be at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport upon her arrival on Wednesday morning.

Bayan Muna said Veloso is a human trafficking victim and not a criminal.

"For 14 years, her family has fought tirelessly for her freedom and justice. The least our government can do is to facilitate this simple but meaningful reunion. Ang pagkakataong ito ay hindi lamang para kay Mary Jane kundi para sa kanyang mga anak at pamilyang labis na nagdusa sa mahabang panahon," former Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate said.

[Translation: This opportunity is not just for Mary Jane but for her children and family who have suffered greatly for so long.]

“After her grueling years in jail, it is but humane that she sees her mother, father, and children when she arrives on Philippine soil. It has been a long ordeal for her, and the least we can do is allow her to embrace her family in her homeland,” said Migrante International chairperson Joanna Concepcion.

The groups are also calling for the granting of clemency to Veloso.

READ: Party-list groups seek Mary Jane Veloso clemency

According to the Bureau of Corrections, upon her arrival, Veloso will be transported to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City where she will have a five-day medical quarantine.

Her family can visit her at the women’s prison after the quarantine period.

NewsWatch Plus correspondent Daniza Fernandez contributed to this report.